P.M. BRIEFING : Car, Light Truck Sales Slump 15.7%

Car and light truck sales by the nation’s Big Three auto makers slumped again in early March, dropping 15.7% from the same time last year, the companies said today.

General Motors, Ford and Chrysler said they sold cars and light trucks at a combined rate of 29,281 per day during the March 1-10 period this year, against 34,750 per day during the same time last year. Overall, car sales were off 20.1% and truck sales were down 8.1%. There were nine selling days in both periods. Chrysler’s car sales were off nearly 36%.

Vehicle sales during early 1988 were particularly strong because of company incentives. The Big Three offered enticements during the period this year, but they lacked the draw they had during early March last year.